Home > Reading > The Daily Lectionary – July 11, 2016

matthew23-121

Matthew 23:1-12

I recall as a child, and as an adult, observing a number of adults admonish their children with the following words: “Do as I say, not as I do!” Usually, they were prompting their children to do the right things, but their statement suggests that they occasionally demonstrated the wrong behaviors before their children. In Matthew 23, Jesus pointed out the hypocrisy of the Pharisees as “teachers of the law” because they did not practice what they preached. The same can be said about many today who do not practice what they preach.

As Christians, we celebrate and preach the good news of Jesus Christ who came to rescue us from our failures to live up to the code of God’s law. Through Jesus, God has lifted up a message of grace for us to share with others. We teach that through our faith in Jesus as our Savior, we receive God’s love and forgiveness. As Jesus’ followers, we are called to extend that love and mercy to others. How are we doing? Are we practicing what we preach? As we look around us today, through our Christian lenses, the world could use a lot more sharing of the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Loving and forgiving God, help us to humble ourselves and see others as your beloved children in need of your loving and gracious forgiveness—and ours also—in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today’s devotion was written by Rev. Robert V. Alle, NALC Pastor.

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